Police: Person in custody after Alabama high school shooting

A small bouquet of flowers and two balloons were placed on a fence at Huffman High School Thursday, March 8, 2018 after a fatal shooting Wednesday at Huffman High School in Birmingham, Ala. (Joe Songer/AL.com via AP)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Police took a “person of interest” into custody Thursday after an apparently accidental shooting killed a 17-year-old girl at an Alabama high school classroom a day earlier.

Birmingham Interim Police Chief Orlando Wilson said investigators are reviewing surveillance video for clues and interviewing students and staff to figure out exactly what led to Wednesday afternoon’s shooting at dismissal time at Huffman High School.

“We consider it accidental until the investigation takes us elsewhere,” Wilson said. “We have a lot of unanswered questions.”

In a statement issued Thursday morning, police said they took a person of interest into custody and the Jefferson County district attorney’s office is reviewing the case for possible charges.

“Detectives of the Birmingham Police Department have been working through the night reviewing evidence, video and statements on the tragic incident that took place at Huffman High School yesterday. Due to their diligent work a person of interest has been taken into custody,” the police statement read.

Police have not identified the deceased student or the person in custody.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the young woman killed was a senior, about to turn 18 and had been accepted at college, with “aspirations and dreams to be a nurse.”

“We are not just talking about some person; we’re talking about losing a part of our future. Our hearts are heavy,” the mayor said.

The chief said he had not been told of any kind of argument, fight or struggle that preceded the shooting. A 17-year-old boy was also wounded in the shooting.

“We’re not saying he shot her; we’re not saying he didn’t shoot her,” the chief said. “We’re asking those questions ourselves so we can determine exactly what happened.”

The shooting prompted a brief lockdown, with students and teachers sheltering in place.

Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Lisa Herring announced late Wednesday night that school will be closed Thursday, to give authorities time and space for a thorough security sweep and enable collaboration with community organizations to counsel students and staff.

Metal detectors and other security measures had failed to keep the students from handling the gun in the classroom.

“The magnitude of this event causes us to pause,” Herring said. “However, we want to assure our parents, students, staff and community that safety and security are a top priority for Birmingham City Schools.”

Security was being increased at all city schools. Just last week, as police and school officials investigated a reported threat at Huffman Middle School, a gun was found outside an entrance door, believed to have been left there as students prepared to be scanned and have their backpacks checked.

Gov. Kay Ivey said she’s “praying for the family of this young lady who has tragically lost her life way too early … it reaffirms that there is no place for students to have firearms or other weapons on campus.”

The shooting happened the day after Ivey created a school safety council to make recommendations on security in Alabama’s schools, including updated threat plans and training for students and staff on emergency situations.

A state senator became emotional on the Alabama Senate floor Thursday as she discussed the shooting, which happened in the district she represents.

“I can’t imagine a parent sending their child to school and that child never coming home. I can’t imagine what those children have gone through, not just in Huffman High School but all over this state,” state Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison said.

Alabama lawmakers have proposed multiple measures in response to last month’s killings of 17 people at a Florida high school. Republicans would arm either teachers or volunteer security forces in schools. Democrats would limit or ban the sale of assault weapons. All these proposals face a tight deadline before the end of Alabama’s legislative session this election year.

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